Finding the Gold Within

Black Men in College - Challenges and Success

What does it mean to be young, black, male and dare to step out of invisibility?

Finding the Gold Within follows six Black men from Akron, Ohio, through their first years of college. Despite their high levels of confidence and critical thinking, the stark reality of being away from their families and communities brings a series of crises. A sister dies in a car accident; a home gets broken into, a brush with the law, racial jokes and provocations never seem to end.

Each young man is tested. Can he keep his eyes on the prize? Each of them is determined to disprove society's stereotypes and low expectations. Many will have to overcome the fate of their missing fathers, some that of their scheming uncles or drug-dealing cousins.

In the intimate circle of Alchemy - which has been their "family" since sixth grade - they speak of their disappointments, despairs, trials and triumphs with a disarming honesty. Since 2003, Alchemy, Inc. has been mentoring urban youth from elementary through high school in the Cleveland area. Exploring ancient stories, as well as drumming and writing, this innovative program gives young males a chance to grow into self-knowledge, discipline and confidence.

The young men of Finding the Gold Within are allowing us to have an intimate look, but they are also looking back at us. They are stepping out of invisibility. Cinematically, the film is exploring America's historically embedded fear of "Blackness." The willingness of our six protagonists to be fully awake, to struggle and create new cultural identities, individually and collectively, will inspire us all.

Reviews and Praise

"....in this intimate and poetic film..." - Michael Fox, film critic

"With a lens that is both arrestingly artistic and at base sympathetic - this film is a portrait of young black males navigating through an unsympathetic world. It never succumbs to cliches that romanticize or dramatize, but provides a rare platform for the quiet voices of those in the experience." - Troy Duster, Emeritus Chancellor's Professor of Sociology, UC Berkeley

"I rose in the audience and thanked Karina Epperlein for her insightful and moving documentary. Finally we had a film that reveals the often difficult inner lives and striving of black male teenagers. In stark contrast to the stereotype, these young Black men find within themselves a sense of authentic self-worth and learn to avoid self-destructive behaviors." - Avon Kirkland, Producer, Director (Ralph Ellison: An American Journey (AMERICAN MASTERS), Simple Justice (AMERICAN EXPERIENCE)

"Extremely topical... at times inspiring and funny, at other times heartbreaking and disturbing, and always fascinating. The conversations with these young men feature some of the most frank discussions about what it means to be black in America that I have ever heard." - Pete Crooks, Diablo Magazine

Comments (10)

M

The New York Public Library•5 months ago

Will there be another documentary? How/What are they all doing now? Did those that started college finish? There are so many young men that struggle with academics or even getting to college, yet this group made it, and I hope they all were successful in keeping that prize (college degree) in ...Read more

Will there be another documentary? How/What are they all doing now? Did those that started college finish? There are so many young men that struggle with academics or even getting to college, yet this group made it, and I hope they all were successful in keeping that prize (college degree) in sight, and walked away holding their degrees at graduation time!

With the Fall term starting this film is a MUST SEE! It would seem to be essential for African American men, but really for anyone interested in building a supportive campus community. The men in this film are incredibly brave, for the vulnerability they express as describe their ...Read more

With the Fall term starting this film is a MUST SEE! It would seem to be essential for African American men, but really for anyone interested in building a supportive campus community. The men in this film are incredibly brave, for the vulnerability they express as describe their experiences as young black men in college.

It's been a long time since I updated you about FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN last Fall. America has been engaged in the most charged conversation about race in decades. This has strengthened my commitment to continue to offer the film to a wide variety of audiences.

It's been a long time since I updated you about FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN last Fall. America has been engaged in the most charged conversation about race in decades. This has strengthened my commitment to continue to offer the film to a wide variety of audiences.

Our GOLD Outreach Campaign has been organizing screenings events at universities and college campuses nationwide, often with panels & discussions, sometimes with an appearance by one or two of the protagonists and/or filmmaker. The events have included film festivals, public high schools, a mental hospital, and special screenings for high school principals.

"This was one of the most impactful, inspiring, and riveting documentaries I have seen in a while, from the perspectives of young African-American teens/young adults as they overcome their adversities to achieve their dreams." –Horace Mullings Buddoo watching the film at Cinema Paradiso, Fort Lauderdale Art House Theater

Appreciate their willingness to be so honest and open
I like the way it follows them each through time

Darius

Eastern Michigan University•4 years ago

For me the amazing experience "Finding the Gold Within" has added to my life started when Karina e-mailed us. Since then I have done and seen things I would have never imagined. Karina and all those who made that possible opened my mind to the point I have considered going places I wouldn't ...Read more

For me the amazing experience "Finding the Gold Within" has added to my life started when Karina e-mailed us. Since then I have done and seen things I would have never imagined. Karina and all those who made that possible opened my mind to the point I have considered going places I wouldn't have dreamed about. During Q&A's we matter, the audience takes a genuine interest in our lives. That experience has added confidence and relevance to what I have gone through. When you stand before those people and you watch them relate, and wholeheartedly inquire about how an experience was for you, words cannot explain.

The film has also opened financial doors for me. Through seeing me on screen people have approached me to do MANY performances. Words cannot express my gratitude or the amount of power in the film, the Q&A, the trips to California, and Karina.

The last unexpected take-away was the genuine brotherhood established between myself and the other protagonists through travelling with the film. This bond is one we did not have in the circle of Alchemy. I can honestly say were it not for the film I may have never spoken to the other protagonists after high school. Now we share and communicate and check each other, and celebrate each other, and laugh and cry together, and we are forever changed through each other, and through our experience with the film. THANK YOU ALL!

Being able to travel through the production of "Finding the Gold Within" has been a blessing and eye-opening experience. By granting me the ability to travel to places I've never been and to experience cultures and traditions I've never seen gives me broader sense of culture in our ...Read more

Being able to travel through the production of "Finding the Gold Within" has been a blessing and eye-opening experience. By granting me the ability to travel to places I've never been and to experience cultures and traditions I've never seen gives me broader sense of culture in our country.

Being in the Q&As have helped me to see the perspective of those who reside within these cultures. From young children to experienced elders, we've received feedback on how our stories relate to their reality. It's a wonderful feeling to see how vocal the film is towards such a large span of people.

It has definitely opened my eyes to the consistency of hardships young black males endure in their daily lives.

It's benefited me through the networking opportunities offered to me through the events held for screenings of the film as well as the pure experience of traveling throughout our country. I've acquired knowledge and understanding of concepts I've struggled with like manhood and growth through conversations had with people seeing the film.

Through it all I’m most grateful for the traveling opportunities and pure cultural experience. Showing me another way of life, introducing me to traditions that have given me a better understanding of my own way of life, in turn changing who I will be forever. Words cannot adequately describe how impactful these events, resources, and settings introduced to me have been in my personal and professional life respectively.

What's kept me involved and interested is the impact I know it can have on communities in need. Through the first screenings I saw the impact this film would have, the places it would take me and the message within.

Traveling with "Finding the Gold Within" and participating in national dialogues has truly been a rich experience. The film has taken me to places and venues that I never imaged I’d be able to visit. It has allowed me to meet individuals that have had profound impacts on my growth and ...Read more

Traveling with "Finding the Gold Within" and participating in national dialogues has truly been a rich experience. The film has taken me to places and venues that I never imaged I’d be able to visit. It has allowed me to meet individuals that have had profound impacts on my growth and development. My communication skills, specifically upon sensitive topics, have also been enhanced. Above all, it has allowed me the opportunity to connect with and engage in beautiful discussions that help reduce the perception gap on race between audiences of various backgrounds.

A film that everyone, not just Americans, should watch. Karina has an amazing ability to draw an incredible level of honesty and openness from these thoughtful young black men. I feel I know the men and their stories and am left with a feeling of great respect despite the challenges they ...Read more

A film that everyone, not just Americans, should watch. Karina has an amazing ability to draw an incredible level of honesty and openness from these thoughtful young black men. I feel I know the men and their stories and am left with a feeling of great respect despite the challenges they continue to face. I hope "Finding the Gold Within" continues to be viewed heavily around the world for many years to come.

I want as many people as possible to watch the film. Finally the nation is discussing the issues around young Black men more openly. I want the film to be part of this national discussion. I have very ambitious hopes for the film, to be part of this dialogue between all people, all races, ...Read more

I want as many people as possible to watch the film. Finally the nation is discussing the issues around young Black men more openly. I want the film to be part of this national discussion. I have very ambitious hopes for the film, to be part of this dialogue between all people, all races, young and old, we need these new conversations about racism.

Wow- thank you thank you thank you: Karina, for opening your magical eye to these beautiful, powerful human_Being MEN. I believe in the work of the Hero's Journey. And I am in awe and have the upmost respect for Kwame's heroic efforts forming ALCHEMY and bringing the gift of storytelling to ...Read more

Wow- thank you thank you thank you: Karina, for opening your magical eye to these beautiful, powerful human_Being MEN. I believe in the work of the Hero's Journey. And I am in awe and have the upmost respect for Kwame's heroic efforts forming ALCHEMY and bringing the gift of storytelling to these young black men/men of color. I am an artist and educator who was recently working with young men (ages 15-20) in the DOmincian Republic. I look forward to showing them the video. Please let me know if you are working on Spanish subtitles. Once again, bravo. Keep sharing this gold with the world.
-Armando Batista (batista514@gmail.com)

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